With fall camp over and out, it’s time to dive into my predictions for the LB, DB, and Special Teams positions for the upcoming 2020 season! Down below, I’ll lay out a “two-deep” at every position as I project who the starter will be and the immediate backup/backups at each spot come the start of the season against The Citadel. Without further ado, let’s get after it!
Linebacker – Enough Depth for 2020?
SAM (Strong-side LB): Dwayne Boyles
Backup: Brian Norris
MIKE (Middle LB) : Antonio Grier
Backup: Andrew Mims
WILL (Weak-side LB): Demaurez Bellamy
Backup: Randal Copeland
Mike’s Take: A position group that actually had more depth to it before the pandemic (among other things), the linebacker spot has now thinned out more than you would prefer. Michigan transfer Devin Gil opted out of the 2020 season and former LB Tae’Aviion Gray was recently dismissed from the program last month. That leaves you with a comfortable two-deep depending on what type of production that you get from backups like Mims, Norris, and Copeland throughout the year.
Defensive Back – Expect 5 on the Field
Cornerback: Mike Hampton
Backup: TJ Robinson
Cornerback: KJ Sails
Backup: Daquan Evans
Free Safety (FS): Nick Roberts
Backup: Mekhi LaPointe
Strong Safety (SS): Vincent Davis
Backup: Mac Harris
Nickel (CB): Bentlee Sanders
Backup: McArthur Burnett
Mike’s Take: Arguably the deepest position group on the team, I love the depth that the secondary has this season. Starters such as Sails, Hampton, Sanders, Davis, and Roberts return with all eyes focusing on the depth guys behind the starters to see who the next up and coming Bulls are in the secondary.
Special Teams – Who Kicks for the Bulls?
Kicker: Spencer Shrader
Backup: Jared Sackett
Punter: Trent Schneider
Backup: Kenny Scribner
Mike’s Take: Schneider as the starting punter comes as no surprise, but the placekicker position battle may be one that goes on throughout the year. At this point, it seems like Shrader and Sackett are in the running with Coby Weiss along for the ride as well. Whoever gets the nod against The Citadel is anyone’s guess and whoever stays the most consistent will end up being the guy moving forward, plain and simple.
Feel free to @ me on Twitter @mic_Cusi or comment down below if you agree or disagree with any of my predictions!